Emir Macari, the prominent dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences who launched the California Smart Grid Center and earned multiple accolades and grants, will not return to his position after being placed on leave in December.

President Alexander Gonzalez announced in a memorandum Friday that civil engineering professor Ramzi Mahmood will serve as interim dean, and a search for a permanent dean will begin this spring.

Mahmood will replace Laureen O’Hanlon, who was first appointed to the position immediately after Macari was removed. She will remain within the college and serve as the interim associate dean.

Mahmood has been a faculty member in the civil engineering department since 1994 and served as a chair and director of the Office of Water Programs.

Macari will return to faculty as a civil engineering professor. He is a recipient of international and national awards, including the Faculty Fellowship bestowed by President George Bush in 1992.

Born in Mexico and earning a doctorate in civil engineering from University of Colorado, Boulder, Macari served as director for the Smart Grid Center, a project dedicated to encourage the use of renewable energy sources.